Bank Employee Strike in March: Banks across India are likely to observe a 4-day closure this month as employees are planning a two-day strike, pressing the government over a plethora of demands, including a five-day work week and highlighting concerns about understaffing and government interference.
The protest, convened by the National Confederation of Bank Employees, is scheduled for March 24 and 25, which fall on Monday and Tuesday. Banks will already be closed on March 22 and 23 due to the second Saturday and Sunday holidays.
The nationwide strike has been announced after a protest at Jantar Mantar on Monday, where bankers made similar demands.
Dinesh Kumar, State Bank of India Lucknow Division General Secretary and UP State General Secretary, on Monday expressed the vexation of bank employees across the country. He alleged that their demands have been ignored by the government. Kumar said numerous positions were lying vacant across the banks, which has intensified the workload on existing staff. He also made a pitch for a five-day work week, seeking curbs on the government’s intervention in banking affairs.
Demand Put Forward by Bank Employees:
Job Security: Appoint suitably qualified personnel to all positions and regularize temp positions to gain better job security.
Less Muscle by DFS: Stop the excess control and micro-management by the DFS.
Protection for Bank Staff: Protect bank staff from physical and emotional abuse and harassment of any kind.
Refilling of Posts: Fast refilling of dockets for vacancies of workers and office directors in public sector banks.
Pending Issues: Get the matter with the IBA, which has remained unresolved, ahead.
Gratuity Act: Revise the Gratuity Act to raise the gratuity limit for employees to 25 lakh.
Exemption from Tax on Employee Welfare Benefits: Exempt income tax on welfare benefits for employees to improve financial well-being.
Concessions Extended to Employees: Special terms and concessions for employees and officers.
Government Stake in IDBI: The government’s stake shall not go below 51 percent in IDBI Bank to retain its public sector credentials.
The unions will also submit a memorandum to the Finance Ministry and the DFS. Besides, notices of the strike will be served to IBA, DFS, and the labor commissioner.
